top of page
All Posts


Threads of Meaning: Textiles of India
Why India continues to fascinate us with textiles.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


Exploring India Through Music in Our Curated Spotify Playlist
Exploring India's music through a curated spotify playlist.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


Mehndi: The Art of Slowing Down in India
Discover the tradition of mehndi (henna) in India, an art form rooted in ritual, patience, and connection. From weddings to everyday moments, explore how this fleeting adornment offers a deeper way to experience culture through travel.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


From Carved Wood to Cloth
In Jaipur, India blockprint is ubiquitous in every street-side market. However, the hand block production itself isn't obviously front and center. It's there if you know where to look, however. In Sanganer, outside Jaipur, long tables, trays of dye, and tacks of carved wooden blocks worn smooth from use are not far away at all, if you know where to look. It’s easy to think of block printing as decoration, just another pattern on cloth, but that’s really the end of the story
Maria Randolph
3 min read


India, Slowly: In the Alleyways of the Blue City
An unfolding conversation over mehndi about the lives of Rajasthani widows and the textiles that support them.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


India, Slowly: Behind The Gate
India Slowly: Observations on slow travel in India
Maria Randolph
3 min read


Opening Doors Beyond the Usual Route: Slow Travel in India
Small group travel in India that goes beyond the expected: exploring how access, relationships, and timing create experiences you can’t simply plan.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


When You're Invited In
Thoughtful travel in India isn’t about unlimited access. A reflection on being invited into artisan spaces, meaningful experiences, and knowing when to step back.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


Paper Making in India: Where Cloth Becomes Page
Just outside Jaipur, handmade paper is still made from cloth, water, and time. A look inside the workshops of Sanganer and the craft that continues quietly.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


India's Textile Heritage Isn't Behind Glass
Textiles aren't just decorative, they're life.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


What We're Reading: Books with a Textile Focus
Our inspiration when diving deep into India textiles
Maria Randolph
3 min read


The Story of Kantha: Cloth, Memory, and the Art of Reuse
Traditionally, Kantha was not created for markets or shops. It was made at home, often during spare moments between daily tasks.
Maria Randolph
2 min read


Handmade Paper in Jaipur: Craft, Tradition, and Reinvention
Join me in my explorations of the fascinating handmade paper craft outside of Jaipur, India. You'll never look at paper the same.
Maria Randolph
3 min read


The Quiet Precision of Blockprinting in Jaipur
Some of the most extraordinary textiles in Rajasthan aren’t made in the busy bazaars at all. They come from small workshops tucked away in neighborhoods and villages, where families have practiced the same craft for generations.
Maria Randolph
5 min read


Respecting the Hands Behind the Work
Why we respect the hands behind the craftsmanship
Maria Randolph
2 min read


My All-Time Favorite Travel Guides
Pre-internet, my Lonely Planet and Rough Guides to India were worn out, stained, and page torn. I even ripped out particular pages to take with me when I traveled! Thankfully, travel has become more accessible than ever, thanks to the wealth of information available online. Whether you're planning a weekend getaway or embarking on a round-the-world adventure, having reliable travel guides and websites (and ebooks and PDFs, oh my!) at your disposal can make all the difference
Maria Randolph
2 min read


Flashpacking: A Modern Twist on Backpacking
Backpacking, travel evokes a gap year, freedom, youth, adventure and local experiences. It's a classic mode of travel, and long associated with budget-conscious adventurers willing to rough it out. However, a new trend has emerged in recent years, blending the thrill of backpacking with a touch of luxury and modernity. Enter flashpacking, a concept that offers a unique twist to traditional backpacking. Intrigued? Read on... Defining flashpacking: A fusion of backpacking and
Maria Randolph
3 min read


Discovering India For the First Time
India may seem daunting, but don't negate the incredible rewards of this diverse county
Maria Randolph
2 min read


Best Itinerary Map Building Sites/Apps
Four of my favorite travel planning apps
Maria Randolph
3 min read


Overtourism: Embracing Responsible Travel
Overcoming the challenges of overtourism
Maria Randolph
3 min read
bottom of page
